John the Baptist
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
After finishing the series on Elijah and Elisha, I was wondering what direction to turn, and one of my favorite studies, as you know, is character studies and examining the lives of these historical figures.
So this morning, as I am reading on Jesus's baptism, I was reminded about how much I love John the Baptist and was inspired to create this lesson, which might be a template for others on Heroes of the Faith.
You know, a lot of people in the world have their heroes, those that they look up to.
Some are inspired by the genius marketing of Steve Jobs.
Some by the tremendous talent of Michael Jordan.
Others might look up to a tremendously charismatic figure such as John Wayne.
My dad's hero is Audie Murphy, a man of courage and bravery and high-upstanding moral character.
Notice I'm not including what's traditionally known as superheroes. For anybody in their right mind understands that they are but fantasy. And while we might like their stories, that's all they are: fictional stories.
But we Christians, if we are to have people that we admire and look up to, we should begin in the Word of God. For these people are not fictional. They are very real. And the Bible does a good job of not only telling us of their triumphs through faith but also their failures.
Therefore, they are more relatable than one might think.
Before we begin, I want to present this with a word of caution.
The definition for Hero (def) A great, illustrious or extraordinary person
In the definitional sense, a hero is simply an extraordinary person.
While we might look up to and admire these people, we must be very careful not to make idols out of them. We admire, yet we don't idolize.
John the Baptist was one such man. If there ever were a man to admire, he would be the man. I cannot personally say enough good things about him.
Now, the thing about that definition of hero when it comes to the Christian viewpoint, I would change it a little bit. Because the fact of the matter is, all of us are sinners. There is none righteous, no, not one. What makes a person extraordinary is the God they serve and the amount of themselves they give over to that service.
That being said let's look at the life of John.
I. His Life
I. His Life
He was Influenced Greatly by His Parents
His parents are spoken of in great detail in Luke chapter one. His father's name was Zacharias, and his mother's name was Elizabeth. What does the Bible tell us of these people?
They were God-fearing, praying people (Luk. 1:11-13)
They were Obedient unto the LORD (Luk. 1:57-63)
They were a Preaching people (Luk. 1:67-80)
Zacharias and Elizabeth set John up for success.
You see, God had a calling and a purpose for the life of John. Just like he has a calling and purpose for the lives of you and me, and our children and our children's children. We must set them up for success, the way John's parents did.
He was influenced greatly by his parents.
He was Moved by Jesus
The Bible tells us (Luk. 1:39-44)
From the time that John was in the womb of his mother, the presence of Jesus moved him. Jesus made an impact on his life.
Church, let me ask you this: Does Jesus move you?
When you hear the story of Jesus, does it move you?
When you sing the songs such as:
Jesus Saves
Amazing Grace
O How I Love Jesus
Do they move you? John the Baptist was moved by Jesus.
He was Different
John Looked Different
John Lived Different
John Ate Different
John Acted Different
Everything about John was different than everyone else.
But let's go back to that definition of hero (def) A great, illustrious or extraordinary person. Now church, doesn't it stand to reason that you'll never be extraordinary if you look, live and act like everyone else?
(Ill.) That's the thing about these contemporary churches and their preachers that dress like the world. They're not trying to be different than the world; they're trying to blend in with it.
(Ill.) You don’t become a fish to catch a fish.
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full at His wonderful Grace… and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and Grace”
He was Different
He was Loved by Some, Hated by Others
As we consider the life of this truly extraordinary and great man, one would think that he would have been universally loved but that just wasn't the case.
He was most likely hated by the Pharisees and Sadducees, who he was calling out for being hypocrites.
He most certainly was hated by Herodias. (Joh. 14:1-5…)
John was a great man but just because he was a great godly man does not mean that everyone loved him. As we can see there are those that had just as strong feelings in the opposite direction.
The point of this church is to let you know and be comfortable with the fact that you can do everything right and people will still hate you. In fact the more you do right the more some people will hate you.
There was no one perfect save Jesus but look at what he said. John 15:18–20 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
He was loved by some and hated by others.
II. His Labour
II. His Labour
He Spoke Boldly
John the Baptist did not have a problem calling the spade a spade. He spake boldly.
I get so tired of hearing these mealy-mouthed so-called preachers Speaking almost apologetically about things that Christ spake boldly.
He called them a ‘generation of vipers’ (v7)
He told them to repent (v8)
He said ‘you’re getting ready to be cut down - and be cast in the fire (v10)
He speaks of the coming Judgment (v12)
In ninety percent of churches little Miss Mary Martha, sitting on the second row, would have a conniption fit if she heard her preacher speak like this!
But church, this is exactly the kind of preaching we need!
We could never expect boldness out of the pews unless they see boldness in the pulpit!
But the popular churches take a different approach, for they are not lead by the pulpit, their sinful desires are leading the preacher - just as the Bible warned us about!
2 Timothy 4:2–4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
John was admirable because he spake boldly.
He Served Humbly
He understood who he was in relation to Christ (v14)
He followed Christ’s commands, though they were uncomfortable (v15)
John was a servant.
We also see his humility in John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John wasn't interested in the size of his congregation, only in how he could serve the Lord the best way possible.
John served humbly.
He Suffered Doubt
The Bible tells us how John preached against the unlawful marriage of Herod as he was married to his brother's wife. And because of him preaching the truth, he was cast into prison. While he was in prison there's a change that takes place in him. (Read Mat. 11:1-6)
It's so interesting to see this great man in the faith in which he had. As he's sitting in prison he begins to waver.
We notice, though, that even as John's faith wavered, Jesus did not condemn him or chastise him. In fact he defended him. (Read Mat. 11:7-11-a)
John suffered doubt. Why is that so significant unto us?
It's significant because we understand that John was not a god. He was just a man with the same struggles that you and I endure.
John suffered doubt.
He Succumbed to Persecution
When we consider John the Baptist, it's important to consider how his life ended.
He did not leave this world in glorious fashion.
No chariot came down in a whirlwind and caught him up to heaven.
He languished in the prison until someone came in and chopped his head off.
He, like literally millions after him, would suffer persecution and die. Not because they were at fault, but because of their faith.
Church, we cannot control our circumstances, only how we react to them.
Bad things do happen to good people.
Matthew 5:45-b “…he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
This great man of God. His life ended in a cruel fashion. It seems bad, but in reality, it just made him more like Jesus.
(Ill.) I thought of Charlie Kirk. Another man in his early 30’s - just like John & Jesus - who died a cruel death, but it just made him more like Jesus!
He Succumbed to Persecution
III. His Legacy
III. His Legacy
He was Recognized by Christ
Jesus honored John: Matthew 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
What a wonderful thought that Jesus would recognize the dedication that you have unto him like that.
Church, make no mistake. There is recognition to be had for the labor in which you give unto the Lord.
John was Recognized by Christ
He’s Remembered Positively by God’s People
Even though he was “Different”
Even though he spake boldly
Even though he suffered doubt
Even though he died unceremoniously
His Legacy is one that is positive and honorable.
Church, let this be a lesson to us:
You can choose to live an ordinary Laodicean life and be remembered by all as a kind person - not one to argue or be trouble
Or you can choose to live your life different from the world, suffer for the cause of Christ, and be recognized by Christ and remembered with honor by God's people.
Do you want your accolades here on earth, or in Heaven?
Conclusion
Conclusion
